Barbados consumer protection authorities have launched a preemptive campaign against rising holiday shopping risks as digital marketplace scams reach unprecedented levels. The Fair Trading Commission (FTC) and Office of Public Counsel (OPC) jointly conducted emergency outreach at National Heroes Square on Friday, equipping shoppers with critical fraud prevention strategies ahead of the Christmas spending surge.
Consumer Protection Director Dava Leslie-Ward revealed that agencies are intervening earlier than usual based on historical patterns. “Post-Christmas euphoria typically gives way to January complaint avalanches,” she noted. “While consumers are currently immersed in festive cheer, we anticipate significant grievances emerging once the seasonal excitement diminishes.”
The digital commerce explosion has fundamentally transformed consumer risks, with Barbadians increasingly relying on Amazon, Temu, Shein, and social media marketplaces. This shift has created novel vulnerabilities that surpass traditional in-person shopping scams, prompting what officials describe as their most urgent holiday consumer protection initiative to date.
Public Counsel Sandra Rawlins emphasized comprehensive pre-purchase verification protocols. “Consumers must exercise due diligence before financial transactions,” she asserted. This involves scrutinizing product reviews, validating seller credibility through physical addresses and contact information, and understanding that social media advertisements often lack transparent business credentials.
Regarding legal recourse, Rawlins clarified that the OPC investigates alleged violations of the Consumer Guarantees Act for purchases under $10,000. However, she highlighted widespread consumer misunderstanding of legal remedies: “Refunds constitute the final resolution option, not the initial response. Consumers must first allow repair attempts, then pursue replacements if repairs prove untimely.”
Layaway agreements received particular attention, with Rawlins warning about binding contractual obligations. “Shoppers must thoroughly comprehend repayment terms before commitments,” she cautioned, noting that suspended payments might not yield full refunds depending on contractual stipulations.
The FTC simultaneously intensifies marketplace monitoring against deceptive promotions. Leslie-Ward specifically targeted illegal “No Exchange, No Refund” signage and misleading “buy one, get one” advertisements with deliberately obscured fine print. “Such practices violate consumer protection statutes and may result in legal prosecution,” she affirmed.
The agencies’ collaborative approach reflects their complementary mandates: OPC addresses individual grievances while FTC regulates broader market practices. Their pre-holiday intervention aims to mitigate consumer harm before post-festivity complaint cycles begin, combining public education, regulatory enforcement, and investigative support through designated hotlines (535-2758/2762) and digital documentation processes.